Sen. Franken visits Science Express

It was a big day for St. Cloud State's Science Express on
Jan. 18 when U.S. Sen. Al Franken visited the mobile
laboratory. Franken not only visited, he role-played the part of
a burglary suspect much to the delight of those in attendance.

Franken joined second-graders from Talahi Elementary
on the Science Express, the university's mobile laboratory for
science education outreach. The lab activity, led by Science
Express teacher Susan Bialka '10, called for the second-graders
to compare soil samples from four suspects with a sample
gathered at a mock crime scene. Using microscopes, students
determined that soil taken from Franken matched the crime
scene sample.

The former television writer, actor and comedian, who
achieved fame on the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night
Live," played his part to the hilt, confessing and offering his
wrists to be handcuffed.

Franken serves on the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions.

The Science Express has been bringing hands-on, high-tech,
inquiry learning to outstate Minnesota school districts
since 2009. University officials created the Science Express to
bridge the gap between what professional scientists use and
what is available in rural and small-town classrooms.

The 52-foot laboratory on wheels is a retrofitted Medtronic
training trailer. Nearly 12,000 students from 29 schools
combined for nearly 14,000 visits during 2009-10. In 2010-
11 the Science Express will visit 33 schools and anticipates
serving more than 16,000 students.